Michael Moore Hub

FOX pans Alan Ball film Nothing is Private for its "graphic sexual, mental and physical child abuse": "If Ball, who regularly toyed with conventions in his TV show and in American Beauty, thought all this would somehow illuminate the tragedy of child abuse, he was wrong. Too much is shown and too many lines are crossed for Nothing Is Private ever to be released by a major studio or distribution company to theatres. If nothing else, the endless 'ick' factor involving nearly every character is a permanent obstacle."

80's cult classic TRON to get sequel: "The original, about a computer programmer thrust into a computer and forced to fight in games he helped create, is remembered for its sci-fi gladiator-style battles and groundbreaking special effects. It was the first movie to use computer-generated images instead of models and other optical effects in conjunction with live action. The arcade game based on the movie was so popular that it earned more than the movie."

Mitt Romney assumes the anti-gay position. And the accompanying article: "Mr. Romney bristles when he is accused of shifting on the issue, as he has on abortion, pointing out that he has been consistent in personally opposing both marriage and civil unions between people of the same sex. On the stump, he usually makes a point of saying that he opposes discrimination against gays. But he refrains from details when pressed as to how he might fight it."

Indian construction worker in Dubai gets 25 years for bludgeoning lover to death with a rock: "The Dubai Court of Appeal increased the 15 years initial sentence of 23-year-old Indian named only as B.A to 25 years, which is life imprisonment here. The appeal's court also awarded him an additional month in jail for consuming liquor. He will be deported after serving his term. The Public Prosecution charged the Indian with consuming liquor and murdering his compatriot, identified as S.D. According to a Yemeni policeman, who questioned B.A., the accused was having a homosexual affair with the deceased. An Indian witness said he saw B.A. committing the crime when he woke up after hearing a commotion in the room at a construction site."

Eric Hainstock trial begins in Wisconsin. Hainstock is the 16-year-old Wisconsin boy who last year (at age 15) armed himself, entered his high school, and shot his high school principal John Klang three times. The homicide has gained attention because it came after what Hainstock claims were years of abuse at the hands of his family and repeating bullying at school, harassment which school officials continually refused to recognize. In May, Hainstock entered a plea of not guilty.

The belfry is back. Provincetown landmark has its cap put back on. The belfry, known to many who have visited the Cape Cod gay resort, has been sitting on the ground since 2002.

New study links pot smoking to mental illness: "People who smoke marijuana daily or weekly double their risk of developing a psychotic illness over their lifetime, according to a study published Thursday. Among all cannabis users, including sporadic experimenters and habitual users, the lifetime risk of psychotic illness increased by 40%, the report said. 'It's not as if you smoke a joint and you're going to go crazy,' said Richard Rawson, who directs the Integrated Substance Abuse Program at UCLA and was not involved in the study. But he cautioned: 'It's definitely not a good idea to use heavy amounts of marijuana.'"

SICK: Four mountain gorillas slaughtered in the Democratic Republic of Congo as revenge killings in inter-personal feud...between humans. "The gorillas were habituated to people and well-known to tourists and park guards who knew the females as ‘Safari’, ‘Neeza’, and ‘Mburanumwe’. The male silverback was known as ‘Rugendo’ and he was the alpha male who fulfilled a leadership role within a group. In the absence of an alpha male, the integrity of a group is often compromised."

UK Channel 4's gay bashing drama Clapham Junction hits sour note for some: "I tuned in expecting a gritty, hard-hitting drama but instead found a clichéd, relentlessly negative piece that portrayed gay men as selfish, morally bankrupt human beings. Even what was supposed to be a happy storyline - the civil partnership of a long-together couple - had to be spoiled by one of them getting off with someone else at the wedding. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want it to be a rose tinted view of gay life but the sheer grinding bleakness of the piece astounded me."

Disney to eliminate cigarette smoking in some films: " Family movies from Disney, the first studio to make the pledge, won't show cigarette smoking, and executives will discourage scenes in Touchstone and Miramax productions, the Burbank, California-based company said today in a statement. Disney also will include anti-smoking advertisements on DVDs with films that have cigarette smoking and will ask theater owners to run the ads before showing those movies."

It's been one year since Lance Bass came out and he's blogging about it: "If you are having trouble being yourself , and are scared to tell someone you are gay--- find that loyal friend, family member, or even hotline and tell someone. All it takes is to tell one person and the ball starts rolling. You will get great advice and and be so much happier. Or, if you have always wanted to ask that family member or friend if they were gay.. do it now.... in a very positive and private way , tell them it is ok and you will always be there no matter what. Sometimes its easier for someone to just flat out ask you. To bulid the courage to say it sometimes takes years."